I'd love some input on my plan for an XJ
 

Hey everybody! My first car was a 94 XJ Sport with the 4.0L HO. Man I loved that car, never once got it stuck in snow in 10 years of owning it and it drove until it totally died on me. I didn't have the money to fix it up so I had to sell it. Now almost 10 years later, I'm back in the market for a new car. I had an idea and I wanted to get some input from other Cherokee folks:

I would like to find another similar era-XJ and turn it into a daily driver for the next 10 years. My plan is to find a Jeep that's in decent body condition for cheap and completely redo it. I'm talking new paint, engine/drivetrain, new interior, tires, brakes etc. Nothing super fancy or high performance, I wouldn't be doing any off-roading with it, just some winter driving. But whatever it would take to bring it back to life so I could drive it for another 10 years. And then in 10 years my son will be getting his license and I can give that car to him as his first car as well.

Now, I know there are a LOT of variables when it comes to something like this. However, I'm planning on anything that I'm going to find in not so great condition is going to at least need new paint, interior, and an engine and/or transmission. Is this a crazy project to pour money into just for a daily driver? I'm not even sure if it's a good idea to do all of that to an older car or how much it would cost. I also most likely would not be doing much of the major work on it myself, that's another factor. I can do moderate jobs like changing out a radiator or a water pump, putting new brakes/shocks that type of thing. But I'm nowhere near skilled enough yet to be pulling or rebuilding engines or trannys.

I might be crazy, what do you all think?

There’s no need for 99 percent of what you listed if you shop around . 3-4K buys a very nice stock XJ . With a couple hundred bucks in preventative maintenance you’ll be ready to roll maybe less . I bought mine for 1800 have dropped 400 in preventative maintenance over a years time and have driven it 16,000 miles I’m confident it won’t need much more for much longer than that . Factory engines and transmissions are always better than rebuilds so squash that idea !

My first vehicle was the '88 XJ my dad bought for $800 and over 10 years later I still drive it and own it. XJs and the 4.0 are very reliable

I am doing this right now.But I started with a 94', no-rust, Tennessee XJ with a blown head gasket. Have spent $2,800 under the hood for a reman engine from CARID (3 yr, unlimited mile warranty) starter, radiator, AC compressor, etc. Needs shocks, leaf springs, tie rod ends, maybe ball joints. My estimate is that I will have about $6K in it total. This one is for my daughter.

I have spent $6K on my 91', absolutely zero rust, California XJ. But that is for the drive train alone :brows:

IMO the most important thing to do is to DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Read, plan, read, plan, and read and plan. Then read some more :)

After that, document your plan. Then keep track and stick to it. Write down your lessons learned!